Beware of Greeks bearing… wins!
Kalagasidis breaks the one record after the other! Karakasi is decisive in her return, getting the winning point! Stamatiou led the first D1 victory for Bellarmine!
Mixalis Kagialis - Nikos Kalagasidis
Simpson University of Mixalis Kagialis and Nikos Kalagasidis had one defeat and 3 wins in the busy 1st week of March. They lost to the University of California at Merced with 0-3 (18-25,23-25,18-25). Both Greeks participated in all 3 sets and Kagialis had 4 kills, 1 assist, 2 aces, 1 dig and Kalagasidis having 4 kills, 24 assists, 1 ace, 1 block (solo) and 4 digs. Then, they had 3 matches with the University of Saint Katherine in 2 days, a 3-1 victory
(25-23,23-25,25-23,25-22),a 3-2 win(25-21,18-25,19-25,25-18,15-11) and a 3-0 sweep (25-14,25-22,25-20) with the middle and setter participating in all sets. Kagialis had a total of 25 kills, 6 assists, 4 aces, 14 blocks (1 solo) and 5 digs in all 3 matches. Kalagasidis had 13 kills, 89 assists (31-32-26), 5 aces, 10 blocks and 22 digs. Kalagasidis broke 4 of his personal records within a week. One with 32 assists, one with 9 total points, one with 11 defenses and one with 5 blocks.
Next obligations:
14th of March vs. Pacific Union College
Elena Karakasi & Aristea Tontai
Syracuse had a season in the fall, unlike most universities, and it was about time to return back on action on March 5th. Syracuse hosted Tontai’s NC University and Clemson University. Each university competed against the other two.So the first Greek civil war was a fact for the month of March between Karakasi and Tontai. The final results are as follows:
Syracuse vs. North Carolina 2-3 (25-14,18-25,21-25,25-19,16-18)
North Carolina vs. Clemson 2-3 (25-21,25-17,23-25,18-25,13-15)
Syracuse vs. Clemson 3-2 (25-20,25-21,20-25,17-25,16-14)
In the match in which the University of Tontai emerged victorious, both Greek women competed throughout the match. Tontai had 2 kills, 2 blocks (1 solo) and 2 digs, while Karakasi, with a new high record of 17 digs, had 2 kills, 43 assists and 3 blocks (1 solo). The next day, while the NC Tar Heels were ahead in sets with 2-0, Clemson made the upset and managed to "turn" the game. Tontai had 15 total points, 5 kills having the highest hitting percentage of her team, 6 aces, 6 blocks (2 solo) and 5 digs. Finally, in the last match, between Clemson and Syracuse, after 5 full sets (25-20,25-21,20-25,17-25,16-14) and Karakasi on fire, Syracuse Orange got the ‘dub’! In fact, in the 5th set, Karakasi finished the game with a kill. She had a total of 8.5 points, 5 out of 7 attempted attacks, 40 assists, 1 ace, 3 blocks (2 solos) and 15 digs.
Next commitments for Karakasi:
March 12th vs. Miami
March 13th vs. Virginia
Next obligations for Tontai:
March 13th vs. Boston College
Chrysanthi Stamatiou
Amazing couple of days for Bellarmine and Chrysanthi Stamatiou after their first two victories in D1! Substantial and key contribution of the Greek outside in both matches against the University of North Alabama with two amazing matches ending in 5 sets in favor of the Knights. The Greek outside hitter took part in both matches, adding to her resume 8 kills, 17 digs, 1 assist, 1 ace, and 1 block! In fact, critical was the contribution of the (now) graduate student-athlete from Volos in the 5th game of the last match, with 4 kills, a critical block, and many receptions at the most crucial points of the tie break.
Next obligations:
March 12th and 13th vs. Liberty University
Lydia Adam
Adam’s North Carolina State University lost their winning streak to Notre Dame University (ranked #14 in the NCAA championship) and Miami University, following two tough games. North Carolina State University fell to Notre Dame University 0-3 (25-12,25-19,25-17) with the 19-year-old right side participating in all 3 sets and scoring 3 kills, while from MU they lost in 4 sets (21-25, 25-22, 19-25, 22-25) scoring 7 kills, 1 assist, and 2 digs in 4 sets.
Next obligations:
March 12th vs. Pittsburgh
Katerina Papazoglou
Temple University returned to its usual victories! On March 7th, they played against the University of Connecticut and managed to take the victory with 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18). Papazoglou, as her team’s 3rd scorer, participated in all 4 sets and had a total of 18.5 points, 12 kills, 2 assists, 1 ace, 1 block and 9 digs.
Next obligations:
March 12th and 13th vs. ECU
Dimitra Tziarli
A very successful week for Tziarli’s University of Cincinnati after two great victories which contribute to their exceptional 6-3 (games won-games lost) course so far. The Cincinnati Bearcats traveled to Florida for their match against the University of South Florida, and managed to secure two very necessary wins, both in 5 sets [(25-23,21-25,23-25,25-14,15-6), (27-25,11-25,23-25, 25-15, 15-7)]. The Greek junior scored 2 kills, 2 digs, and 1 block in both games.
Next obligations:
March 12th and 13th vs. University of Central Florida
Christos Gitersos
Gitersos’s Limestone University secures its 5th victory in a row (7-4) after a difficult game of five very dramatic sets against Belmont Abbey. Even though both teams fought very hard, the Limestone Saints managed to overcome Belmont Abbey with Giterso as their leader. The Greek setter played in all 5 sets scoring 4 kills, 43 assists, 2 aces, 2 blocks, and 9 digs.
Next obligations:
March 10th vs. Barton
March 13th vs. Jamestown
Nafsika Papavassiliou
A great week for Papavassiliou’s Mount Olive comes to an end following two wins and one defeat. The first game against Erskine College ended 3-1, with the Greek outside-hitter scoring 4 kills, 1 dig, 1 assist, and 0.5 blocks. On the 4th of March, Mount Olive faced Lees-McRae College and managed to secure their second victory that week. Papavassiliou participated throughout the whole game, scoring 4 kills and 2 digs. As a matter of fact, she even gave her team a lead with a series of 4 points in the first set! Saturday’s game ended in favor of King, with the Greek outside-hitter scoring the final kill.
Next obligations:
March 12th vs. Southern Wesleyan
March 13th vs. Converse College
Markella Lanara
Lanara's George Washington lost to Fordham with the match ending 1-3. The Greek middle blocker had another impressive game after scoring 6 kills, 2 aces, 1 assist, 3 blocks and 2 digs in all 4 sets. Sunday’s match against Howard was canceled.
Next obligations:
March 12th vs. La Salle
March 13th vs. Fordham
Dimitris Kiridis
Two easy sweeps in favor of Barton College against King and Lees-McRae end this week on a great note for Kiridi’s team. The Greek middle-blocker had a leading role in both games, scoring 11 kills, 5 blocks, 4 digs, and 1 ace.
Next obligations:
March 10th vs. Limestone
Iro Chounta- Zoe Sherolli
Chounta’s and Sherolli’s Phoenix was brought head-to-head against Purdue Fort Wayne for this week’s showdown. In their first match, the Phoenix suffered a 1-3 defeat, with Sherolli playing in two sets and scoring 1 kill, 1 ace, and 3 digs. However, in the second match, Green Bay managed to secure their victory over Purdue Fort Wayne following 5 full sets, with Sherolli scoring 6 kills and 2 digs. Chounta did not participate in these games.
Next obligations:
March 8th and 9th vs. UIC
Fay Bakodimou
Another good couple of days for the Greek outside. Bakodimou's Towson faced the University of Delaware in a double match on March 5th and 7th. On Friday the victory was an easy affair with 3-0 and the Greek outside hitter played in all 3 sets collecting 8.5 points (8 kills, 1 block and 4 digs). In Sunday's replay with an amazing performance, Towson made it two for two and crushed Delaware at home with 3-0 and Bakodimou leading once again with 11 points (9 kills, 1 ace, 1 assist, 3 blocks and 8 digs).
Next obligations:
March 12th and 13th with Hofstra University
Zoi Faki
Another victory for Pittsburgh University and Zoi Faki against Virginia University. On February 6th, the Pittsburgh Panthers welcomed the Virginia Cavaliers at home and with a 3-1 victory (25-20,22-25,25-23,25-17) now have a 6-4 wins to defeats ratio. Faki competed in one set.
Next obligations:
March 8th vs. Georgia Tech
March 12th vs. Wake Forest
March 13th vs. NC State
Elena Baka
This week Baka had no obligations with her team indoors or in the sand.
Next obligations indoors:
March 9th vs Pacific
March 12th and 13th vs. San Francisco
Next obligations in the sand:
April 1st vs. Stanford
Elisavet Papageorgiou
Papageorgiou’s Eastern Illinois suffers yet another difficult week following their defeat against Austin Peay (1-3). Papageorgiou took part in 3 of the 4 sets and contributed to her team with 2 digs.
Next obligations:
March 7th and 8th vs. Tennessee St.
Eva Athanasiadou
On March 5th Saint Louis managed to secure a victory with 3-1 against Duquesne. The Greek setter participated in all four sets.
Next obligations:
March 14th vs. Kansas State
Elena Leontaridou
This week marked the official premiere for the Big East region and Leontaridou’s Providence. Unfortunately, Providence did not manage to defeat Seton Hall after a long match of 5 sets. Saturday’s rematch, however, upset Seton Hall with Providence securing an easy 3-0 sweep. The Greek middle-blocker played in both games, scoring 7.5 points in Fridays’ game (4 kills, 1 assist, 2 aces, and 3 blocks) and 7 points in Saturday’s game (4 kills, 1 assist, 4 blocks, and 1 dig).
Next obligations:
March 12th and 13th vs. Conneticut
Ioanna Charitonidi
Rather late than never, Charitonidi’s Vaqueros secured their first “W” against CBU on March 1st. Unfortunately, on the next day, they did not manage to repeat their victory and suffered a 0-3 defeat. Charitonidi participated in both games with 4 digs and 1 assist.
Next obligations:
March 8th and 9th vs. Seattle University
Stella Giourda
Giourda’s University of Central Florida (10-1) returned to winning ways with two victories against East Carolina University. On March 5th, the UCF Knights managed to sweep East Carolina University in 3 sets (25-17,25-17,25-18) and repeated themselves the next day with 3-1 (25-14,25-19,24-26,25-19). The freshman did not play in any of the games.
Next obligations:
March 12th and 13th vs. Cincinnati
Marianna Anastasiadi
Anastasiadi’s Auburn University at Montgomery continues to be undefeated (3-0) adding 2 more victories to their streak. On March 6th, they faced the University of West Georgia and after 5 sets (25-20, 15-25, 25-18, 18-25,15-11) managed to secure their victory. Less than 2.5 hours later, they faced Valdosta State University which they defeated 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-19), despite how tired they were. Anastasiadi did not participate in these matches.
Next obligations:
March 11th vs. University at Montevallo
Stavroula Papazoglou
Papazoglou’s Odessa College adds two more victories to its winning record (18-2) climbing to the 2nd place in NJCAA. On March 3rd, the Odessa Wranglers played against Frank Phillips College where after three easy sets (25-17,25-15,25-17) they managed to win 3-0. On March 6th, they faced New Mexico Military Institute for the second time which they managed to defeat 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-20) once again. Papazoglou did not play in these games.
Next obligations:
March 13th vs Western Texas College
Lida Kastanou
While Lida’s Kastanou Bradley University (7-4) 7th straight win over Illinois State (25-20,25-13,21-25,25-19) occurred, they lost their streak on the 7th after losing to Valparaiso University (13-25,26-28,20-25). The Greek did not participate in any competition.
Next obligations:
March 8th vs. Valparaiso
Alexandra Drosopoulou
Drosopoulou’s UIC secures two more wins this week against Oakland with the games ending in 3-1 and 3-2. The Greek outside-hitter did not take part in these games.
Next obligations:
March 8th and 9th vs. Green Bay
Anastasia Galanou
Galanou’s Villanova obtained one victory and one loss (3-1 and 1-3) against Connecticut in their opener in the Big East Conference on March 5th and 6th. The Greek outside-hitter did not participate in these games.
Next obligations:
March 10th vs. St John’s
Marialena Babiri
Both games against Trinity International University have been canceled for this week.
Next obligations:
March 9th vs. Blue Mountain
March 11th vs. Crowleys Ridge
March 12th vs. William Woods
March 13th vs. Stephen College
Eufrosini Alexakou- Ariadne Kathariou
Alexakou’s and Kathariou’s St. John’s University had a break this week.
Next obligations:
March 10th vs. Villanova
March 12th and 13th vs. Seton Hall University
Stella Antypa
The games against Rutgers were postponed this week.
Next obligations:
March 12th and 13th vs. Penn State
Spyros Chakas
Chaka’s university did not compete this week.
Next obligations:
March 11th, 12th, and 13th vs. UC Santa Barbara